In "Suite Love Stories," we share the extraordinary love stories of couples and their journey leading up to their wedding day. Maya and Herald recount their chance encounter 30 years ago, which laid the foundation for their big day at Pillows Hotel Aan de IJssel in Deventer.

The encounter

Maya and Herald crossed paths during their college years. Despite being in relationships with other people at the time, they could not deny the special connection between them. One evening at the pub, they drew closer to the point of a kiss, but their almost-intimate moment was interrupted by a friend of Maya. Without exchanging contact information, they lost sight of each other and went their separate ways.

It took 30 years for fate to bring them back together. "It felt like time had stood still," Herald recalls. After their encounter and few dates later, they fell in love once again. Herald even moved to the other side of the country for Maya. They have been living together for some time now.

The proposal

Prior to the proposal, Herald sought permission from all four children. During a family vacation in Curaçao, he invited Maya and the children for a beach day at a luxury hotel. On a helicopter platform, surrounded by the stunning sky and sea, Herald asked her to marry him. The children witnessed this romantic moment and later played an essential role as witnesses on their parents' wedding day.

The search for the perfect venue

"From the moment we walked in, we knew this was the place where we wanted to get married," Maya recounts about her visit to Pillows Hotels in Deventer. "We were warmly welcomed, given an extensive tour, and allowed to see everything. The spontaneity, the ambiance, and the personal attention convinced us that this was the location we were looking for." "The communication leading up to our wedding was also smooth and worry-free," Herald adds. "And with a guest list of 90 guests residing across the country, it was great that you could stay at Pillows Hotels."

The big day

"Our wedding was relaxed and informal, just the way we wanted," Maya explains. "We did not want to spend too much time sitting at the table and were mostly looking forward to the party. That is why we opted for a quick dinner. After dinner, we got married at 8 o'clock in the wedding hall, followed by a big celebration."

A wedding day to remember

"I hope not to get married again, but I would definitely choose Pillows Hotels," they both say, laughing. "Pillows is such a cozy, stylish, and warm environment. They have the perfect blend of luxury and modesty. The most surprising aspect was all the extra efforts: from the decorations to reserving rooms and tying up loose ends. Even when the schedule ran a bit behind, the Pillows team made sure everything ran smoothly."

Tips for future couples

"What other tips would they give? 'Dare to delegate tasks and trust the professionals. Letting go really helps you fully enjoy your day. For us, it also helped to decide on the atmosphere we wanted to create. Designing a mood board can be helpful.'

Determining your guest list also deserves time: invite only the people you genuinely want to share this special moment with, not out of obligation. Finally, we really recommend doing what you want and what suits you. Stay true to yourself and don't do something just because everyone else does or because it's the norm." Maya adds, "I got married on sneakers!"